Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: dslapster64 on August 23, 2025, 07:54:58 PM
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Hopefully this is not a duplicate. I just bought a spoiler5 with an omega body. Love it. I am in the process of upgrading the electronics for a little for more beef so I just bought a three-way Q switch. I am also looking to change the pick up selector to a pan mode. So I'm looking to see which one to buy. I noticed there is a pan preamp only – no volume harness. Is that the one that I can install? Any input would be great thanks. Has anyone else done this?
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Kind of depends. The Pan Preamp (https://store.turbify.net/alembic/panpreamp.html) goes with an existing set of Activator electronics, and those were *not* standard issue on a Spoiler, which already has a separate preamp for each pickup. And I don't think Activator electronics ever came with a pickup selector, so you most likely do have Spoiler electronics.
You might see a Spoiler-shaped bass with two pickups and no pickup selector switch, but that would be a Persuader - which somewhat ironically would have Activator electronics, to which you could indeed add a Pan Preamp.
I had a Spoiler until recently, about twenty years ago I took out the electronics and sent them to The Mothership for exactly the same modifications you're thinking of, and so yes it can be done.
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I had a Distillate several years ago that had been modified (before I got it) to have a pan pot where the 4-position pickup selector switch had been. I have no idea how this mod was performed, but it worked just fine. I'm inclined to think it could be done with a Spoiler too. Maybe without electrical tape... probably better.
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Sorry here is a pic of the cavity .sorry
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Notice the two blue and white trim pots, it definitely has Spoiler electronics. So the Pan Preamp is not an option.
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There are (at least) two versions of these Distillate family Spoiler electronics, unfortunately it looks like you have the more complicated one. (for what you try to do)
Older versions have the Volume and Filter on the main board, newer versions (like yours) the pickup selector and Filter.
Good part is, I'm pretty sure you only need a pan pot. As Adriaan mentioned, you already have two preamps :-)
So , you only need to replace the selector with the pan pot.
Pictures of the electronics in my '83 and '88 Spoiler:
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...Good part is, I'm pretty sure you only need a pan pot. As Adriaan mentioned, you already have two preamps :-)
So , you only need to replace the selector with the pan pot.
Turns out, I have one. It used to live in my Persuader 5-string but I upgraded to the new dual preamp one a few years ago when they first came out, so I have a plain old Pan pot in my spares box I'll gladly donate to Big Red here. (I saw Omega-cut Spoiler 5-string... figured that had to be it. I need a new hobby. ::) )
Here are a couple pics of the gizmo. Hopefully it'll work out.
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Awesome Gregory :-)
Now for the "more complicated" part...
I've measured the selector in my '88 Spoiler and the pan pot in my Orion, the pan pot is about 3,5 mm taller.
There is some clearance between the top of the selector and the closest component on my '88 board, but it will be a tight fit...
+ I doubt the pinouts will be the same, so I think you'll have to use wires to connect the pan pot to the board.
There is very little room to move the board out of the way needed, make sure nothing is touching the Silver shielding paint (!)
If it won't fit, I think the best option would be to replace the complete package with an Activator set. (easiest, but way more expensive option)
Most intrusive option -if the pan pot won't fit- would be to route out the cavity under the battery (so you can have the main board angled, a bit like my '83)
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Wow guys . Excellent stuff. I am soaking all this in.
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@ FC
I am hoping it all fits. If I can receive the old one from Greg I am hoping that I do it all myself, and will provably need a new knob as well. Love this Forum.
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It did fit in Adriaan's bass, so that is promising :-) But that was done @ Alembic, they could have used other components/mods.
There are two different style selectors in my Spoilers (pcb mounted in the '88 and the '83 has wires connected on the top)
Take care and good luck! :-)
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The Pan Preamp in the store and the one Greg has will not work on the Spoiler/Distillate family electronics. I've asked dad to chime in here, so I'll let you know what he says.
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Mica
Thanks so much, I will wait on word.
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Hello everyone, just checking to see if anyone has any ideas about replacing the selector switch with a pan/pot into a Spoiler. Apparently many others have done this, just not sure how to contact those have. I even saw that Barond Tromp uses a Spoiler that had the same thing done, including a 3 way Q switch, which I bought and unfortunately didn't come with install instructions (as yet).
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Hello everyone, just checking to see if anyone has any ideas about replacing the selector switch with a pan/pot into a Spoiler. Apparently many others have done this, just not sure how to contact those have. I even saw that Barond Tromp uses a Spoiler that had the same thing done, including a 3 way Q switch, which I bought and unfortunately didn't come with install instructions (as yet).
Barend's Spoiler used to be mine ...
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O wow, that explains it . Thank you.
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Looking at the online store page for the Q switch, it says it's for Activator only, you need one for a Spoiler https://alembic.store.turbify.net/qforac.html